A bill to prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia and to repeal the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022.
- Bill Number
- S. 2636
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-31: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T21:41:47Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The bill, S. 2636, aims to prevent non-U.S. citizens from participating in voting in the District of Columbia (DC) by prohibiting their involvement in local elections and overturning a prior DC law that had expanded voting rights to certain non-citizens.
Key Provisions
- Prohibition on Non-Citizen Voting (Section 1): Explicitly bars any individual who is not a U.S. citizen from voting in elections for public office in DC, as well as in any ballot initiatives (proposed laws put to public vote) or referendums (public votes on specific issues) in DC.
- Repeal of Prior Law (Section 2): Fully repeals the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 (D.C. Law 24-242), which had allowed non-citizen DC residents to vote in local elections. It also restores any previous laws that were changed or eliminated by that 2022 Act, treating it as if it never existed.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill directly reverses the 2022 DC law, which had amended DC's voting rules to permit non-citizen residents (such as lawful permanent residents or others living in DC) to vote in local elections for offices like mayor, council members, and advisory neighborhood commissions.
- It reinstates stricter citizenship requirements for voting in DC, aligning local elections more closely with federal standards that generally require U.S. citizenship.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens and Residents: U.S. citizen voters in DC would see no direct change, but non-citizen residents (estimated to include tens of thousands of immigrants and others) would lose the ability to vote in local matters, potentially reducing their influence on community issues like schools, housing, and public services.
- On Government Agencies: DC's Board of Elections would need to update voter registration processes, remove non-citizen voters from rolls, and enforce new verification rules, increasing administrative workload. The federal government, through Congress, would exert direct control over DC's local laws, highlighting limits on DC's self-governance.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could affect perceptions of U.S. policies toward immigrants and local integration in the nation's capital.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Non-Citizen Residents of DC: Primarily impacted, as they would be excluded from local voting, affecting groups like green card holders, refugees, and other long-term residents.
- DC Government and Voters: Local officials and U.S. citizen voters in DC, who may face changes in election dynamics and turnout.
- Federal Lawmakers and Agencies: Members of Congress (especially those on the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs) and federal entities overseeing DC, as the bill reinforces congressional authority over the district.
- Advocacy Groups: Organizations focused on immigrant rights, voting access, or election integrity, which may support or oppose the changes based on their priorities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: The bill enforces a uniform citizenship requirement for DC voting, potentially simplifying enforcement but inviting challenges under DC's Home Rule Act (which gives DC limited self-government). It could lead to lawsuits arguing discrimination against non-citizens or violations of equal protection principles.
- Constitutional Implications: Touches on the U.S. Constitution's allocation of power over DC (Article I, Section 8), where Congress has plenary (full) authority, allowing federal override of local laws. It raises questions about voting rights under the 14th and 15th Amendments, though these primarily apply to federal elections and citizens.
- Political Implications: Introduced by a bipartisan group of 23 senators (mostly Republicans), it reflects debates on election security and non-citizen influence in U.S. politics. If passed, it could set a precedent for federal intervention in other localities' voting rules, intensifying partisan divides on immigration and local autonomy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (23)
Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR], Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC], Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE], Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND], Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC], Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA], Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK], Sen. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK], Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT], Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX], Sen. Hagerty, Bill [R-TN], Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY], Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL], Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY], Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS], Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT], Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID], Sen. Moody, Ashley [R-FL], Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID], Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX], Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-31: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 2025-07-31: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- To prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia and to repeal the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022. — issued 2025-07-31 — PDF (2 pages)